Blockchain in Travel Insurance Verification

Posted on: Jun 25, 2025 | 3 min | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Blockchain in Travel Insurance Verification

International travel insurance is one of the most important forms of general insurance. There are some excellent policies available nowadays from leading insurers like HDFC Ergo that make travel seamless. However, certain challenges, such as international trip insurance verification, continue to be problem areas. To fix such problems, several technological aids have been implemented. One of them is blockchain technology. Blockchain is a centralised record that aims to make various advancements in the international travel insurance segment. Read on to know more.

How can blockchain work?

Blockchain works in several ways to ease the verification issues faced in travel insurance. Some of them are:

1. Centralised ledger for records

Blockchain is nothing but a centralised ledger where a lot of information is stored. It is open to everyone, and it is a very safe and reliable database as well. The information once entered cannot be altered, so there is extreme transparency. It is quite reliable too. This makes it easy for institutions to fetch travel insurance records easily and fix the verification delays. For example, if the policyholder has a travel plan from an Indian insurer which he wishes to use in a hospital in the UK, the hospital team can access the blockchain records and get the verification. This can be very effective.

2. Easy to retrieve policy information

If the policyholder has been admitted in a state of emergency and cannot produce the international travel insurance details right away, the health care centre can access the details using blockchain technology. This can hasten the verification process, and the treatment can start. Delays at such junctures can be very dangerous and can also lead to the policyholder’s health deteriorating.

3. Faster communication across borders

A lot of times, the international trip insurance verification process gets held back due to delays in communication across borders. Time zones, public holidays and other factors come into play. However, when you use blockchain to get the required details, the communication time reduces, and the verification happens quickly. This leads to quicker claim processing and makes it easier for all parties involved - the client, the insurer and the hospital.

4. Cost-effective due to increased automation

Like most modern technologies, blockchain heavily relies on automation, which minimises human intervention. This proves to be cost-effective and beneficial for all parties involved. It affects efficiency as well, and with it, we can expect an improvement in the process of international travel insurance verification.

These are the main ways in which blockchain can, shortly, help fix the issues related to international travel insurance verification, leading to quicker claims and easier processes for the policyholders.

While we wait…

While waiting for the blockchain technology to come into full force, policyholders can have a smoother experience if they follow these simple guidelines:

1. Choose a good insurance company.

It starts with making a smart purchase. While most of the insurance companies in India these days follow the IRDA regulations and offer good travel insurance plans, you still see some insurers slacking in important areas such as customer support and claim settlement. To avoid this and get your international trip insurance plan verified smoothly, you must choose a good insurance company like HDFC Ergo to get your policy from. Check for your chosen insurer’s online presence, their customer support facilities and their claim settlement record, among other things. It is very important to have the support of a reliable and trustworthy insurance provider who can help you when you need it the most.

2. Follow the protocols to avoid later complications.

The international travel insurance verification process may seem slow and troublesome at times, but you need to follow the protocols to ensure your claim gets settled smoothly. Follow all the rules, submit the needed documents, and understand the requirements of the hospital at the foreign location. Do not get into arguments and disputes, as that will only delay the verification process, thereby making it further problematic for you. Hence, devote the time needed and go ahead with it step by step and get the job done at the earliest.

3. Be truthful when applying.

One of the main reasons for claim rejection worldwide is dishonesty. You have to be truthful when you apply for any form of insurance, including international travel insurance. Whether you have a pre-existing health condition or your trip is longer, state everything transparently. Holding back information or stating it incorrectly on the application form can cost you dearly later on. Hence, be honest when you fill out the travel insurance application form. You may wish to save a few rupees by holding back the correct information, but that will lead to several problems when you need to make a claim, as the international travel insurance verification process is very thorough.

4. Read the terms and conditions to make an effective claim.

Last but not least, you need to read the terms and conditions very closely to understand the scope of coverage. It is important to know what you are entitled to get at the time of an international travel insurance claim. Therefore, you need to devote time to buying the policy and go over the features. A lot of tourists just get travel insurance as a formality and then end up in a tricky situation when they need to make a claim. To avoid such challenges, go through the fine print. Once you know what is covered, you will be able to make an effective claim and thereby reduce the chances of a rejection, following the verification process.

Keep all these tips in mind and choose your international trip insurance coverage with a lot of care. Also, read our guide for travel insurance claims so that you can make an effective claim each time.

The bottom line

Technology has made life simpler for all of us, but it comes with its share of challenges. You need to get a good understanding of how newer technologies, such as blockchain, can help ease the issues related to international trip insurance verification. However, till the time the technology becomes more widespread, you need to rely on the traditional channels. For that, keep the points mentioned above in mind and have a smooth experience with your international travel insurance policy.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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